Australia made the most of their athleticism to turn the tide of momentum and record the last three scores of the match, clinching a win and the series

THE outcome was entirely predictable even if we couldn’t possibly have
envisaged the endgame. With just eight minutes left Ireland were four points
ahead in the second Test, needing just an over to tie the scores on
aggregate and swept along on the kind of momentum that had eluded them for
most of the series. An Australian defeat had been inconceivable for the
first three quarters last night but all of a sudden the outcome was on a
knife-edge.

The Australian response, though, was decisive. Having been penned in their own
half for 10 hectic minutes they finally broke free and secured some
territory. The last three scores belonged to them and that was enough to win
this hand and take the pot.

Just like last week, Ireland had failed to play with any fluency or dynamism
until the final quarter and having been 17 points